G.Swanborough, P.Bowers United States Military Aircraft Since 1909 (Putnam)

L.W.F. V AND F

   The L.W.F. Engineering Co., Inc. (the initials standing for Lowe, Willard and Fowler) was formed in 1915 at College Point, Long Island, and first produced a two-seat observation and training design called Model V. The Army bought 23 variants of this design before World War I (112/113, 447/467) as trainers and for observation, and another 112 in 1917 and 1918 (inc. 705, 2268/2304, 2509/2518, 12883/12894 and 39920/39950). The V-1 had a 140-h.p. Sturtevant engine in place of the 135-h.p. Thomas; the V-2 had a 165-h.p. Hall-Scott and radiator under the upper wing; the V-3 had a 200-h.p. Sturtevant. The Model F was a special V-2 to test the original 8-cylinder Liberty engine, which made its first flight on June 16, 1917.

Jane's All The World Aircraft 1919

An L.W.F. military biplane flew, late in 1917, with a 200 h.p. Sturtevant engine from Rantoul, Illinois, to San Antonio, Texas, a distance of 1.184 miles, in a total flying time of 9 hrs. 15 mins. This included one non-stop stretch of 620 miles.
   The machine carried a U.S. Army Officer and pilot, and made two short stops on route for fuel.
  
Model V, Thomas 135 h.p. motor. Biplane land machine.
   Two seater. Speed : 42.2 to 95.5 m.p.h. Climb: 3,750 ft. in 10 mins.
   Full government load. Wing curve: L.W.F. I.
Model V1. Same as above machine, but equipped with Sturtevant 140 h.p. motor.
Model V2. Very similar to above machines, but different motor installation and radiator on nose of upper wing.
   Hall-Scott 165 h.p. motor. Also many minor differences.
   Highspeed: 102 m.p.h.
Model V3. Similar to Model V1, except that motor is now Sturtevant 200 h.p.
   Speed: 42.2 to 110 m.p.h. Climb: 8,000 ft. in 10 mins. Full government load.
   Made flight from Rantoul, Ill., to San Antonio, Texas.
Model F. New model. Liberty motored.
   (First Liberty motor to fly.)

Журнал Flight

Flight, August 9, 1917.

THE L.W.F. TRACTOR BIPLANE.

   THERE is a double meaning in the mystic denomination "L.W.F." In one case it gives the initial letter of the name of each of the three members of the L.W.F. Engineering Company (of Long Island, N.Y., U.S.A.) - Messrs. Edward G. Lowe, Jr., Chas. F. Willard, the designer of the machine, and Robert G. Fowler, the pioneer exhibition flyer. It is also symbolic of one of the main features of the machine, viz. - the Laminated Wood Fuselage.
   One of the aims of the designer has been to, as far as possible, secure the standardisation of as many parts as possible, and all components are put through rigid tests prior to assembly. As will be seen, the main planes are given a slight backward slope as well as a dihedral angle, in order to give the greatest possible inherent stability without sacrificing the general efficiency of the machine. The amount of sweep-back is 2 ft., and the dihedral angle is 1 degree. The top plane, having a span of 46 ft. 6 ins., is in two, sections, each section being attached to two pairs of inverted V struts mounted on the fuselage. The method of attachment forms the subject of one of our sketches, from which it will be seen that quick assembly and vice versa is greatly facilitated. It may be noted here that this fitting, together with most of the other fittings on the L.W.F. biplane, is a substantial drop forging. The lower plane, which has a span of 38 ft. 8 ins., is also in two sections, and is attached direct to the fuselage. The method of attachment is shown in one of the accompanying sketches.
   This fitting consists of a plate following the curvature of the fuselage, to which it is attached by four bolts. Formed on the plate is a dome-shaped projection on which is formed a lug which receives the fork on the end of the wing-spar. Inside the fuselage is a steel compression tube connecting opposite fittings. Provision is made for the attachment of the bracing cables on both the top and bottom plane fittings.
   The front spar is located 9 ins. from the leading edge and 3 ft. from the rear spar. The leading edge of the wing is covered with two-ply wood on the top, extending to the front spar, in order to maintain the correct curvature. The wings are covered with a strong fabric complying with R.A.F., specifications, laid diagonally with seams double lapped, and sewn to the ribs.
   Two pairs of fabric covered stream-lined struts on each side of the fuselage, separate top and bottom planes. The interplane strut fitting, which is illustrated by one of the accompanying sketches, is of the "ball-bearing" type. The ball is formed on the strut socket, and fits into a cup formed on the wing-plate. The strut can thus be adjusted for varying degrees of stagger, and when once adjusted a pin is driven through the cup and into the ball, thereby locking the whole at that particular angle. One end and the sides of the wing-plate are bent up to form attachments for the bracing cables.
   The ailerons, which are hinged to the rear spar of the top plane, are of the double acting type, having an area of 38 sq. ft. The non-lifting double cambered stabilising plane is in two sections, one mounted by quick detachable fittings to each side of the fuselage. A triangular vertical stabilising surface is mounted on the top of the fuselage forward of the rudder, which, as with the elevators, is constructed of steel tubing. Any standard type of control, such as Farman or Dep. is fitted, or if required, the L.W.F. three-in-one.
   In the fuselage is to be found the most interesting feature of the L.W.F. machine. It is 23 ft. 6 ins. long, 3 ft. 6 ins. deep (maximum) and 2 ft. 7 1/2 ins. wide maximum. It is built up of three plys of wood, between each of which is a layer of silk. One ply of wood runs longitudinally, whilst the other two are laid spirally to the right and left respectively. The whole shell-is then covered with a specially prepared fabric, and, in the case of hydro-aeroplane models, stitched through and through with very fine, strong wire. It is then given a final treatment of waterproof varnishes. The two cockpits are arranged in tandem, comfortably upholstered and fitted with wind screens.
   The landing chassis is of the conventional two-wheel V type, but a three-wheel type, suitable for instruction work, can be fitted if required. A swivelling tail skid is also provided. Provision has been made whereby a complete water-gear may be fitted, consisting of two main floats or pontoons and a small float under the tail.
   The power plant consists of either a 140 h.p. 8-cylinder model 5 Sturtevant, or a 135 h.p. Thomas. In each case the exhaust is led well away from the pilot and passenger. The radiator is mounted in the nose of the fuselage, in front of the engine, and is elliptical in shape